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Archived from our former blog, The Beacon.

150 Become Citizens During Two Ceremonies in New York

Release Date:
Oct. 26, 2015

USCIS welcomed 100 new citizens from almost three dozen countries on Oct. 18 during a special naturalization ceremony at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City during the fourth annual People en Español Festival. During the ceremony, former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera and Thalia, the singer, songwriter, actress, author, entrepreneur and fashion designer, were recognized as Outstanding Americans by Choice.

New York District Director Phyllis Coven provided the opening remarks and presented the candidates for naturalization. An honor guard from U.S. Customs and Border Protection presented the colors. Jonael Santiago, 2015 winner of “La Voz Kids,” sang the national anthem.

Naturalization candidates listen to New York District Director Phyllis Coven’s opening remarks.

USCIS Director León Rodríguez administered the Oath of Allegiance and welcomed the new Americans as new citizens in a land of possibilities. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas provided keynote remarks and presented the Outstanding Americans by Choice recognitions.

On Oct. 19, USCIS welcomed 50 new citizens from 24 countries during a special judicial naturalization ceremony in Brooklyn at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The ceremony commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first naturalization in the Eastern District.

Judges watch as naturalization candidates prepare to take the Oath of Allegiance at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn.

Director Rodríguez provided the motion to the court to administer the Oath of Allegiance. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson gave congratulatory remarks and distributed the naturalization certificates to the new U.S. citizens. Judge Dora L. Irizarry read remarks from Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor of the U.S. Supreme Court, who was unable to attend.

To join the conversation on Twitter and other social media during future naturalization ceremonies, use #newUScitizen.